Being willing and able to walk away is the key, regardless of whether you are buying used or new.
If you need a car to get to work on Monday you are almost certainly going to get screwed. If you can go home in the car you drove there in and buy something next week or next month, you can simply wait until you get the deal you want.
They're definitely related, when you don't have a surplus of cash!
I manage to keep my stress levels at a minimum by not overcommitting myself, sleeping enough, and eating real food. Oh, and having a job I don't hate definitely helps.
My best tool for keeping my spending down is the library. If I have books to read, I'm much less likely to get bored and go shopping!
I don't shop that much except for necessities. Most of the spending is done by my wife and for our kids. I still have the same shirts that I was wearing 3 years ago, maybe I should get a new one every now and then...When I do shop then I stress over if I really needed the item or just wanted it and have about a 50% return rate.
It's fine to order water to drink when you go out to eat, of course, but I disagree strongly with the idea of bringing your own beverage. In some places, bringing outside food/drinks into a restaurant is considered a health code violation. Please don't put a restaurant in that position.
Stress and Spending or even Spending and Stress can be one of the same things. Its must be a normal reaction to our daily lives. Knowing when enough is enough is where you can turn it all around. Ive got a couple of tricks that help me make stress and spending work for me. One is to take a deep breath and take a look around and look to see how many others may be in my same situation (perspective approach), sometimes is not that your spending its what your spending it on. Two is an easy rule to follow, try the 20/20 rule. If it costs more than 20 dollars and you've been thinking it for more than 20 days, go for it! This is kinda hard 5/5 is a little easier to manage. And three understand that it is normally a habit to stress and spend and everybody is doing it. I love my county deeply and I know that we are hungry and like to get stuff, I just need (and want) to be myself.
Oh and one other thing I've noticed that if you feel stuck in your life, try not spending and just save (besides bills) you really start down a road where you really feel better and can get out of a rut.
I recently had to pick up someone's hours at work along with my own, indefinitely, so I am finding myself in this stress-spending dilemma as well. One thing that is helping is excusing myself from housework. It can wait or hubby can do it. So it's imperfect, but I can put it out of my mind and relax, read, or take a nap. I've earned it anyway. If I find money burning a hole in my pocket, I use it for small treats: like the ingredients for a curry, or blueberry yogurt, or organic fruit. It's a healthier way to treat myself and it ends up saving money in the long run. Who has time to shop anyway? My real spending hazard is boredom and depression. When that happens I spend my retail therapy at thrift stores.
JT,
The idiot comment was meant in a purely demeaning and spiteful manner. Perhaps malefactor or reprobate would be more applicable. Yes I acknowledge their skill but I can in no way honor their proficiency. I am no more impressed by their abilities then I am by a burglar being able to break into someones home undetected. The system of car sales is at fault, they are merely pawns of the game. As for real estate agents, you are more likely to get a fair shake when properly represented by an agent you trust. If you could bring in your own car buying agent (like AAA or costco) you have a better chance at the dealership. That was my route, and I have little remorse taking it.
When I get stressed out I take all the money out of my wallet and remove my debit card. I'm the type to buy "a little something" to make myself feel better, but I can't spend money if I don't have it on me.
Your Mum and Jerry's Dad have great clip-and-save wisdom about frugal living. Thanks for your comments about perks and thrift. I try to keep it real and fun, while saving money! >Sharon is the author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money
As an ex-waitress, I am really shocked at the no beverage comment. I am even more shocked at the "I bring my own beverage" reply in the comments. Hello-if you cannot afford a soft drink at a restaurant, then you cannot afford to eat out.
Eating out is a luxury, and it means that you are able to support another's income-the server. By sitting at her/his table you are agreeing to the American custom of paying an 18 percent tip on the total of the bill for good service. (Bad service-BTW- is acknowledged by leaving a penny face down on the table, and you should stop and speak with a manager on the way out).
If you are too cheap to add a 1.50 Coke onto the bill, I shudder to think of what you are tipping the poor server!
There is a big difference in being cheap and being wise with your money. If you cannot afford to eat out, then don't.
When I get stressed out I try only to go for rock bottom bargains & only shop in bargain/discount/dollar stores and thrift shps - but it can be dangerous even there - So step #2 is to go on a $ diet and avoid any shopping AT ALL.
I think of some very cool Nuns I used to know. They were highly educated, rarely complained, lived in a small private room, and had two winter dresses and two summer dresses. The happiest people ever have less spending stress.
they are absolutely related. you feel so much better when you go out and buy something. actually, it only helps if you buy a luxury item or something you don't really need. if you go out and buy groceries you don't really feel that much better.
Stress doesn't make me spend (I'm not an emotional shopper), but having spent too much definitely causes me stress! When I had a pretty large amount of credit card debt I had many stress-filled days and nights, scrambling to pay bills on time. It's a terrible way to live, always worrying about money and not having enough. Rather than go shopping if I'm stressed I like to go for walks or play with my dog, take a nap, take a bubble bath, read a good book/magazine, or watch a funny TV show/movie. Those things help me unwind without racking up any debt!
Stress and spending are not connected for me, but stress and eating are! I try to find something to do with my hands r exercise to keep busy and reduce stress.
I allow myself small indulgences when I'm stressed---a chocolate nugget, or an ice cream cone here and there. It always helps me to take a deep breath and remind myself how fortunate I am. Sounds corny, but it works for me.
I would have to say that the two are related. When I stress out, my mind tends to only reflect on what I am stressing over. So if I go out to the store, I might pick up something that catches my eye but not think about the fact that I don't need it. Then I make it back home and feel some buyers remorse.
I also cut my own hair--but I'm not sure it's something I should brag about. I walk almost everywhere--work is close enough to walk to--so I use my car maybe once a week. Saves money, energy and it's good for you! I also pretty much buy everything on sale. I can't stand paying full price--especially on clothes.
Being willing and able to walk away is the key, regardless of whether you are buying used or new.
If you need a car to get to work on Monday you are almost certainly going to get screwed. If you can go home in the car you drove there in and buy something next week or next month, you can simply wait until you get the deal you want.
They're definitely related, when you don't have a surplus of cash!
I manage to keep my stress levels at a minimum by not overcommitting myself, sleeping enough, and eating real food. Oh, and having a job I don't hate definitely helps.
My best tool for keeping my spending down is the library. If I have books to read, I'm much less likely to get bored and go shopping!
I don't shop that much except for necessities. Most of the spending is done by my wife and for our kids. I still have the same shirts that I was wearing 3 years ago, maybe I should get a new one every now and then...When I do shop then I stress over if I really needed the item or just wanted it and have about a 50% return rate.
It's fine to order water to drink when you go out to eat, of course, but I disagree strongly with the idea of bringing your own beverage. In some places, bringing outside food/drinks into a restaurant is considered a health code violation. Please don't put a restaurant in that position.
Stress and Spending or even Spending and Stress can be one of the same things. Its must be a normal reaction to our daily lives. Knowing when enough is enough is where you can turn it all around. Ive got a couple of tricks that help me make stress and spending work for me. One is to take a deep breath and take a look around and look to see how many others may be in my same situation (perspective approach), sometimes is not that your spending its what your spending it on. Two is an easy rule to follow, try the 20/20 rule. If it costs more than 20 dollars and you've been thinking it for more than 20 days, go for it! This is kinda hard 5/5 is a little easier to manage. And three understand that it is normally a habit to stress and spend and everybody is doing it. I love my county deeply and I know that we are hungry and like to get stuff, I just need (and want) to be myself.
Oh and one other thing I've noticed that if you feel stuck in your life, try not spending and just save (besides bills) you really start down a road where you really feel better and can get out of a rut.
I recently had to pick up someone's hours at work along with my own, indefinitely, so I am finding myself in this stress-spending dilemma as well. One thing that is helping is excusing myself from housework. It can wait or hubby can do it. So it's imperfect, but I can put it out of my mind and relax, read, or take a nap. I've earned it anyway. If I find money burning a hole in my pocket, I use it for small treats: like the ingredients for a curry, or blueberry yogurt, or organic fruit. It's a healthier way to treat myself and it ends up saving money in the long run. Who has time to shop anyway? My real spending hazard is boredom and depression. When that happens I spend my retail therapy at thrift stores.
JT,
The idiot comment was meant in a purely demeaning and spiteful manner. Perhaps malefactor or reprobate would be more applicable. Yes I acknowledge their skill but I can in no way honor their proficiency. I am no more impressed by their abilities then I am by a burglar being able to break into someones home undetected. The system of car sales is at fault, they are merely pawns of the game. As for real estate agents, you are more likely to get a fair shake when properly represented by an agent you trust. If you could bring in your own car buying agent (like AAA or costco) you have a better chance at the dealership. That was my route, and I have little remorse taking it.
When I get stressed out I take all the money out of my wallet and remove my debit card. I'm the type to buy "a little something" to make myself feel better, but I can't spend money if I don't have it on me.
Awesome post! Such a helpful list! Spot-on!
It's all about being willing to walk away. Having a max spending limit with goals is also key.
You guys ever read Financial Samurai's perspective? "8 Cars In 10 Years. I Have A Problem, But You Won't!" Pretty good tips for buying second hand, and a funny perspective.
"If you have a car addiction, I highly recommend you face the addiction straight on and go to the car dealership!"
J
You are so right about library fees! And yes, our late fees support a great cause! :)
Sharon is the author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money
Your Mum and Jerry's Dad have great clip-and-save wisdom about frugal living. Thanks for your comments about perks and thrift. I try to keep it real and fun, while saving money! >Sharon is the author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money
As an ex-waitress, I am really shocked at the no beverage comment. I am even more shocked at the "I bring my own beverage" reply in the comments. Hello-if you cannot afford a soft drink at a restaurant, then you cannot afford to eat out.
Eating out is a luxury, and it means that you are able to support another's income-the server. By sitting at her/his table you are agreeing to the American custom of paying an 18 percent tip on the total of the bill for good service. (Bad service-BTW- is acknowledged by leaving a penny face down on the table, and you should stop and speak with a manager on the way out).
If you are too cheap to add a 1.50 Coke onto the bill, I shudder to think of what you are tipping the poor server!
There is a big difference in being cheap and being wise with your money. If you cannot afford to eat out, then don't.
When I get stressed out I try only to go for rock bottom bargains & only shop in bargain/discount/dollar stores and thrift shps - but it can be dangerous even there - So step #2 is to go on a $ diet and avoid any shopping AT ALL.
Managing stress is easy: self-help tapes and whisky will see you through every time :)
Great tip about using fabric glue for repairs! And I appreciate that bit of wisdom from your Dad! That's one to print and tape to the frig!!p>Sharon is the author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money
You are so right about how drinks can inflate a restaurant bill!! Thanks also for your comments about the cost of disorganiztion.
Sharon is the author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save
I think of some very cool Nuns I used to know. They were highly educated, rarely complained, lived in a small private room, and had two winter dresses and two summer dresses. The happiest people ever have less spending stress.
they are absolutely related. you feel so much better when you go out and buy something. actually, it only helps if you buy a luxury item or something you don't really need. if you go out and buy groceries you don't really feel that much better.
Stress doesn't make me spend (I'm not an emotional shopper), but having spent too much definitely causes me stress! When I had a pretty large amount of credit card debt I had many stress-filled days and nights, scrambling to pay bills on time. It's a terrible way to live, always worrying about money and not having enough. Rather than go shopping if I'm stressed I like to go for walks or play with my dog, take a nap, take a bubble bath, read a good book/magazine, or watch a funny TV show/movie. Those things help me unwind without racking up any debt!
Stress and spending are not connected for me, but stress and eating are! I try to find something to do with my hands r exercise to keep busy and reduce stress.
I allow myself small indulgences when I'm stressed---a chocolate nugget, or an ice cream cone here and there. It always helps me to take a deep breath and remind myself how fortunate I am. Sounds corny, but it works for me.
I would have to say that the two are related. When I stress out, my mind tends to only reflect on what I am stressing over. So if I go out to the store, I might pick up something that catches my eye but not think about the fact that I don't need it. Then I make it back home and feel some buyers remorse.
I also cut my own hair--but I'm not sure it's something I should brag about. I walk almost everywhere--work is close enough to walk to--so I use my car maybe once a week. Saves money, energy and it's good for you! I also pretty much buy everything on sale. I can't stand paying full price--especially on clothes.
Does anyone know whether a convection oven could be used to replace a traditional oven?